Small Solar Panel

[peeky1323]

Hi everyone,

Would installing something like this just be a case of connecting the controller directly to my LB?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Photonic-Univer ... op?ie=UTF8

I know it's only 20W but just looking to extend the battery life a little and also keep it charged. I have a split charge but don't drive it as a daily drive.

Thanks,

Matt

[g8dhe]

It will extend the life a LITTLE, but at 20Watts not a lot! The Controller is also a cheap old PWM type, again this type is not the most efficient at all, once the light falls below a given level then charging stops dead. The better type is known as a Maximum Power Point Transfer (MPPT) type, these raise the voltage from the panel before stepping it back down too match the demand for charging, hence they continue to work even when shaded or just reflected/dispersed light from clouds alone.

At present there are lots of supplies of the older style controllers kicking around along with "B" grade panels from China, hence why they are being flogged off on Ebay - that's not to say that all are like this but you need to be aware of exactly what you are buying and why the price is so cheap .....

[John_H]

I agree with Geoff. 20w is a little small. Have a read of this http://www.photonicuniverse.com/en/faq/ and this http://www.photonicuniverse.com/en/how- ... lar-panel/
HTH

[roosmith]

20w isn't much but if you are just keeping the battery topped up when it's not being used (which is what you appear to be saying) it should be fine. We have an 80w, to keep us going on a campsite with everything running. On a dull weekend with only the fridge running we can find the bottom of our leisure battery however (Waeco CDF25 and 80AH battery).

[peeky1323]

Thanks everyone, think I will save for a more substancial one.

[dnitu001]

Perhaps - if you had the money and you could buy once then the best would be good - so large panel and MPPT control box

OR

you could buy what you can afford and then upgrade to another panel later.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-Pair-MC4-Br ... SwjVVV1viO

would allow you to run another panel later when you can afford it or need it.

then you can change the control box to MPPT another day another year.

If I could afford everything I needed and buy the best first time around then the world would be a different place.

just a thought

[Dodgey]

I can help with 100W kits.

http://www.solarcampersolutions.co.uk

I've found 80w is the bare minimum for keeping a fridge going. I sell and install 100W kits to give a bit of headroom.

You can certainly buy one panel and add another later, as long as your charger can handle the current, though it's obv. easier to do it from the start.